25 Best Agatha Christie Movie Adaptations Ranked

Abstract

• Agatha Christie’s novels proceed to be tailored into TV sequence and flicks, interesting to each followers and newcomers to her works.
• Among the finest Agatha Christie motion pictures are non-English diversifications, reflecting the worldwide recognition of her tales.
• Kenneth Branagh’s Poirot motion pictures, similar to Homicide on the Orient Categorical and Dying on the Nile, characteristic star-studded casts and visually gorgeous settings.

Agatha Christie is among the best-known crime novelists ever, and Agatha Christie motion pictures have at all times been in demand for the reason that introduction of Hollywood cinema. She printed over 125 written works, together with 74 novels, promoting greater than two billion copies, making her the second best-selling fiction creator ever. The primary Agatha Christie film got here in 1928 with the primary non-English language adaptation coming a 12 months later. Overseas filmmakers have taken a selected liking to Christie’s work. Of greater than 30 movie diversifications, 14 are non-English diversifications. One of the best Agatha Christie motion pictures are wide-ranging and made in many alternative nations.

Even at present, Christie’s thriller novels proceed to be widespread amongst readers everywhere in the world. They’re nonetheless being tailored into tv sequence and flicks whether or not they’re stand-alone tales or a part of the mysteries solved by Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Whereas miniseries and particular shows on tv are typically extra widespread than motion pictures (even Physician Who has featured tales impressed by the author), new Agatha Christie motion pictures proceed to be launched as properly. One of the best Agatha Christie motion pictures, nevertheless, enchantment to followers of the novels as a lot as they do those that have by no means learn her works.

25 Alibi (1931)​​​

The Misplaced Agatha Christie Film From The Earliest Many years Of Cinema

Alibi is among the first Agatha Christie motion pictures from Twickenham Studios. Alibi stars Austin Trevor as Hercule Poirot and is taken into account a misplaced movie. Even when it’s a misplaced movie, it is nonetheless notable for being the primary Christie adaptation to characteristic Hercule Poirot. It is based mostly on the 1928 play of the identical identify, which itself was based mostly on Christie’s 1926 novel The Homicide of Roger Ackroyd. Alibi incorporates a character named Caryll Sheppard, who turned the inspiration for Miss Marple, Christie’s different nice detective character.

24 Black Espresso (1931)

A Lengthy-Misplaced Adaptation Of Christie’s Stage Play Film Response

Black Espresso stars Austin Trevor as Hercule Poirot and relies on the 1929 stage play of the identical identify. Christie wrote the play in response to the movie diversifications made as much as that time. Within the story, Poirot and a good friend, Arthur Hastings, go to a physicist solely to find his physique. The plot revolves round a secret components the physicist was engaged on and the motives every earlier customer had for murdering him. No identified copies exist of both film, however each earned robust sufficient critiques that Black Espresso continues to be identified about and mentioned at present.

RELATED: The 15 Finest Episodes Of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Ranked

23 Ten Little Indians (1989)

A Group Of Former Suspects Should Remedy A Homicide

In 1989, Harry Alan Towers launched his third model of the Agatha Christie story And Then There Had been None, which he renamed Ten Little Indians. The film sees 10 strangers, all accused of murders previously, summoned to an African safari by a mysterious host. After they begin dying one after the other, the survivors have to determine which ones is the assassin earlier than all of them die. This was not a Christie story together with her two main detectives and as an alternative featured 10 common folks compelled to sleuth their method by way of this intriguing whodunit. The solid included Donald Pleasence (Dr. Loomis from Halloween) and Frank Stallone.

22 Ordeal By Innocence (1984)

Donald Sutherland Strives To Clear A Useless Man’s Title

Ordeal by Innocence is a 1984 film based mostly on the e book of the identical identify by Agatha Christie. The e book follows a Dr. Arthur Calgary, a witness to a homicide however would not understand the complete extent of what he noticed till two years later when Jack Argyle, an harmless man, was discovered responsible of the crime and died in jail. Dr. Calgary then reveals that Argyle was not responsible, and that Calgary has an alibi for him which proves it, that means the killer continues to be on the market. Donald Sutherland performs Dr. Calgary, with the supporting solid consists of some outstanding names like Christopher Plummer, Faye Dunaway, and Ian McShane.

21 Ten Little Indians (1965)

An Early Adaptation That Impressed Many Horror Motion pictures

The 1965 model of Ten Little Indians is about in a mansion within the snowy Alps as 10 individuals are invited to a distant location by a mysterious host. The host would not seem, and as an alternative leaves a message claiming that every particular person is chargeable for the dying of one other and might be killed throughout their keep on the mansion. The message involves fruition as visitors maintain turning up lifeless within the mansion and the remaining survivors have to determine who the mysterious killer is earlier than they attain the identical destiny. This story is among the most ceaselessly tailored Christie novels, and has even offered the inspiration for lots of horror motion pictures that middle on isolation as victims are picked off.

20 Seven Dials Thriller (1981)

Conspiracy And Homicide Amongst The London Aristocracy

Seven Dials Thriller relies on the Christie novel of the identical identify, though this novel gave the impression to be a distinct model than most of her earlier homicide thriller work. The 1981 film follows Girl Eileen “Bundle” Brent who investigates the homicide of Gerry Wade, with the thriller persevering with to escalate after his dying. Bundle uncovers a bigger conspiracy as one other man is killed, and he or she learns of the existence of a secret society that’s concerned in each murders. One in all a number of Agatha Christie diversifications for London Weekend Tv, the TV film labored so properly for longtime followers as a result of it hardly ever deviated from the supply materials.

19 Why Did not They Ask Evans? (1980)

The Adaptation That Introduced Agatha Christie Tales To The Small Display screen

Why Did not They Ask Evans? is a detective novel by Agatha Christie and the 1980 TV film relies on the e book of the identical identify. The film follows Bobby Jones as he investigates the homicide of a person he comes throughout whereas {golfing} whose final phrases are, “Why did not they ask Evans?” Jones begins to do a deep dive into the person’s life and tries to uncover the thriller of his deadly wounds on the golf course that day.

That is truly the primary main Christie adaptation for tv as a result of, throughout her lifetime, the creator disliked TV. Following her dying in 1976, her property allowed the printed rights for her tales to be offered. Why Did not They Ask Evans? turned vastly widespread, which explains there are such a lot of TV diversifications at present.

18 Dying On The Nile (2022)

Kenneth Branagh’s Second Outing As Poirot

Kenneth Branagh returns as Poirot on this sequel to Homicide On The Orient Categorical. In Dying on the Nile, Agatha Christie’s most well-known detective is simply making an attempt to take a trip, however after all, his time of rest is interrupted by homicide. Like its predecessor, Dying On The Nile is filled with twists, turns, and dramatic accusations. It is also obtained a extra lush backdrop and an even bigger funds for costumes to mirror the opulence of the journey. Visually, the film is gorgeous, and a solid that includes Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright, and Rose Leslie definitely makes it as star-studded because the earlier one.

17 Homicide On The Orient Categorical (2017)

The First Film In Branagh’s Blockbuster Poirot Trilogy

Homicide On The Orient Categorical is among the most frequently tailored (or alluded to) of Christie’s work. This Agatha Christie story has been tailored into radio reveals, TV specials, motion pictures, and even video video games. Regardless of these aware of Christie’s work understanding the ending because it was initially printed in 1934, many are nonetheless captivated by all of the twists and turns, as actually everybody Poirot comes into contact with is a suspect. Kenneth Branagh as Poirot on this model of the story is extremely fascinating to observe, and the large solid of stars (Penelope Cruz, Daisy Ridley, Leslie Odom Jr., amongst others) lend gravitas to their roles.

16 Gumnaam (1965)

Bollywood’s Take On A Basic Christie Story

Indian diversifications of Agatha Christie’s works are extremely widespread. Gumnaam is just the second Indian adaptation and the primary in Hindi. The story adapts Christie’s And Then There Had been None. On this model, a number of characters win a visit, however the prize truly units all of them as much as be stalked and systematically murdered one after the other. The surviving characters attempt to search out the killer, simply as in Christie’s unique novel. Ultimately, they uncover their connections to at least one one other, however solely after most of them have already been killed. Whereas the film may not characteristic as many characters as the unique novel, the themes, and suspense stay the identical.

15 Infinite Night time (1972)

An Extremely Trustworthy Christie Adaptation

Infinite Night time adapts one of many final novels Christie wrote earlier than her dying in 1976. It follows the story of a younger man who meets a rich heiress and the 2 fall for each other rapidly, making their dream of a small-town property come true. Nevertheless, as they obtain their dream, a homicide within the small city happens. In true Christie trend, there’s a giant twist for the viewer. Whereas this wasn’t thought of the most effective Agatha Christie motion pictures upon its launch, because the film divided critics, it’s very true to the supply materials and options the charming Hayley Mills because the heiress, Ellie.

14 Crooked Home (2017)

A Thriller With Extra Drama Than The Common Christie Story

Christie is thought for her twists and turns in her novels, and Crooked Home is the epitome of that. It has been tailored a number of occasions, however the 2017 adaptation incorporates a star-studded solid together with Glen Shut, Gillian Anderson, Christina Hendricks, and Max Irons. Irons performs detective Charles Hayward, a former diplomat who returns to England when an previous flame employs him to research a homicide in her household.

After all, Hayward’s former lover Sophia Leonides hires somebody she has a historical past with as a result of she desires to verify Scotland Yard is not in a position to expose her household’s secrets and techniques to the general public. The story is as a lot a household drama as it’s a thriller, which is what makes it so interesting even amongst Christie’s different works.

13 Homicide Most Foul (1964)

Margaret Rutherford stars as Miss Marple on this black-and-white homicide thriller based mostly on the Christie novel of the identical identify. Miss Marple believes {that a} man about to be convicted of homicide is definitely harmless, so she seems to be into the case herself to show his innocence and discover the actual killer. Miss Marple’s investigation leads her to affix a theater group the place yet one more actor is discovered lifeless after she begins her investigation.

The nearer Miss Marple will get to the killer the extra hazard she finds herself in as she uncovers the secrets and techniques of the characters’ previous. It is a fairly commonplace Christie adaptation, however Rutherford actually embodied Miss Marple, and for years her efficiency can be synonymous with the Agatha Christie Detective.

12 Homicide At The Gallop (1963)

Poirot Is Swapped For Miss Marple In This Lighter Take On Agatha Christie

Homicide on the Gallop adapts Christie’s 1952 novel After the Funeral. Funeral is a suspense novel with Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, however Homicide At The Gallop is a lightweight comedy that replaces him with Dame Margaret Rutherford’s novice detective Miss Marple. Gallop can be a sequel to Homicide, She Mentioned, Rutherford’s first outing as Marple. The story begins with the dying of a rich recluse. His sister states her perception that he was murdered earlier than being discovered lifeless herself.

Marple investigates whereas at a using college operated by the surviving heirs. The killer’s motive is revealed to be one thing that won’t have required the recluse’s dying in any respect. Rutherford’s Marple would seem in 5 completely different Christie diversifications, and her portrayal of the character knowledgeable the performances of many actors who took on the function after her.

11 Evil Beneath The Solar (1982)

Dame Maggie Smith Stars In This Basic Poirot Story

Evil Beneath the Solar is a Hercule Poirot story based mostly on the Christie novel of the identical identify. This Agatha Christie film incorporates a notably robust solid together with Peter Ustinov as Poirot and the legendary Dame Maggie Smith as Mrs. Citadel, the proprietor of the resort. The 1982 film follows Poirot as he tries to resolve the case of the mysterious dying of an unpopular actor. Evil Beneath the Solar takes place at a resort resort as Poirot does his detective work by interviewing the varied patrons and visitors to search out out who dedicated a homicide on trip.

10 Homicide, She Mentioned (1961)

The Debut Of Margaret Rutherford’s Iconic Miss Marple

Homicide, She Mentioned is Dame Margaret Rutherford’s first look as Miss Marple. Marple sees a lady strangled on a practice. She embarks on her investigation after the police rebuff her because of an absence of proof. Her investigation entails getting a job on the property the place she believes the lady’s physique is and interviewing the varied suspects inside the home. The police come round to her investigation when she finds the lady’s physique in a horse secure. Followers clearly beloved Rutherford within the function, and it is easy to see why.

9 And Then There Had been None (1945)

The First Adaptation Of The Notorious Agatha Christie Finest-Vendor

This 1945 movie is the primary of a number of diversifications of Christie’s best-selling novel. The story focuses on ten individuals who have traveled to a resort within the Iranian desert and are accused of homicide. Nevertheless, none of their actions could be legally outlined as such, and they also can’t be held accountable for the deaths by the courts. The ten additionally discover a framed copy of “Ten Little Indians” in every of their bedrooms and a sculpture of 10 folks in a circle within the eating room. Issues escalate when certainly one of them dies and a figurine disappears. This basic Agatha Christie story has been tailored many occasions, however the 1945 model stays the most effective retellings.

8 The Mirror Crack’d (1980)

One in all Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries, The Mirror Crack’d is stacked with an extremely gifted solid. Homicide, She Wrote’s Angela Lansbury stars as Miss Marple and Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis, Liz Taylor, and Kim Novak make up the remainder of the principle solid. The story follows a manufacturing crew once they come to Miss Marple’s small hometown to shoot a film and a fan finally ends up poisoned. Taylor and Novak play the rival actresses on the middle of the thriller, and their antagonistic relationship provides some levity to the thriller. As a bonus, Pierce Brosnan followers will see that that is truly his onscreen debut as he performs an actor in a small function.

7 Shubho Mahurat (2003)

The Bengali Reimagining Of A Basic Christie Story

Shubho Mahurat is a Bengali-language adaptation of Christie’s 1962 novel The Mirror Crack’d from Facet to Facet. In Mahurat, essential character Padmini (Sharmila Tagore) is a movie producer newly arrived in India. When an actress she casts dies, the suspicion initially falls on that actress’s husband who’s accused of an affair with one other girl. Ranga Pishima (Raakhee), the film’s model of Miss Marple (who shouldn’t be the principle character) is the aunt of a journalist who turns into closely tied into the movie’s manufacturing. It’s totally completely different from the 1980 adaptation, however each motion pictures provide a number of the finest drama in Agatha Christie’s diversifications.

6 Grandmaster (2012)

An Indian Malayam Retelling Of The A.B.C Homicide

Launched in 2012, the Indian Malayalam-language film Grandmaster was based mostly on the Agatha Christie e book The A.B.C. Murders. The e book was a Hercule Poirot novel during which a serial killer (often known as A.B.C.) chooses victims whose first and final names start with the identical letter. Apart from that, there gave the impression to be no motive. Within the film, a senior IPS officer begins investigating a sequence of murders after receiving an nameless word from the killer himself. There are some key variations between the tales, however Grandmaster obtained largely constructive critiques and was the primary Malayalam movie launched on Netflix.